How do you take a little bit of Portugal home with you?

Wed, 11/09/2022 - 11:22 - 
Iris

Vacations are ideal for creating special memories that will last long after you return home. The people you travel with and the people you meet during your trip are extremely important. You can also have fond memories of what you did there, especially if you tried something new, got out of your comfort zone or saw something you had never seen before.

Portugal has beautiful nature and a particularly rich culture. There is a lot to discover. You can consult us or our website for inspiration on what to see and do. But how do you keep the experience alive? Can you bring something tangible that will always remind you of those beautiful moments? A piece of Portugal to take home with you?

Yes, you can! For yourself or for others, these are our recommendations of souvenirs from Portugal:

Vinho Verde Wine

1. WINE

Wine can be found all over Portugal, in all colors and scents! From a fresh Vinho Verde or Alvarinho in the North to a bottle from the Alentejo region in the South, a delicious Douro wine or a famous glass of Port? The choice is yours!

These are just a few of the many well-known wine regions. Portugal has an enormous range of options for wine lovers, often at reasonable prices. Visits to wineries and tastings or just enjoying a nice meal with some heavenly wine, is part of any Portuguese holiday!

Large supermarkets such as Continente also regularly give huge discounts on well-known Portuguese wines. A perfect, tasty souvenir to enjoy at home!

A limited edition bottle from the Douro wine region

 

2. CERAMICS AND LOCAL ART 

Do you prefer something that lasts longer than a glass of wine? Ceramics are a great option as they are also available in all shapes and colors! Painted crockery or some typical art from the region you visit? There is something for everyone. Here are some examples:

Perfectly small and beautifully painted birds to fit in your luggage
Local art from Viana do Castelo

When living in Viana do Castelo I brought home this locally famous couple as a present for my mother. They are named Maria and Manel and can be found in all kinds of materials and sizes but always dressed in the traditional clothing of the region.

In Portugal, every place has its own legends, festivities and art. Other nice items when you travel to Viana do Castelo are for example the heart of Viana, which you can buy in several forms as well, from earrings and necklaces to magnets for your fridge. Or table clothes with local sewing patterns on it.

The rooster of Barcelos, hand-made

A more well-known Portuguese symbol is the Rooster of Barcelos. According to the legend, a pilgrim on his way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain arrived in Barcelos. That same day a crime happened in Barcelos and the locals accused the pilgrim immediately. They did not believe him when he swore to be innocent. They were going to hang the pilgrim the next morning. The pilgrim pointed at a cockerel and said "As surely as I am innocent, that rooster will crow when I am hanged".

And so it happened. To everybody's surprise, the rooster crowed and the pilgrim was saved from hanging. This is how the rooster of Barcelos became a famous symbol all over Portugal. You can buy him also in all sizes. Make sure to buy a hand-painted one. That way you will have an original one. Only roosters painted in factories are all the same ;-).

 

Church with facades decorated with colorful Azulejos

3. AZULEJOS 

Azulejos are typical, Portuguese tiles. Strictly speaking, this is also ceramic and art, but it is worth mentioning separately since it is a thing by itself. Everywhere you look, buildings are covered in Azulejos. You can even follow a workshop and paint your own Azulejo. From colorful churches to station buildings to the smallest houses…everything is wrapped in Azulejos.

However, do be careful when you browse antique shops because sometimes the beautiful, old azulejos you find there may have been stolen or obtained illegally.

 

Colorful fish cans

4. CANNED FISH

Sardines, cod, mackerel and many other fish and seafood can be tasted fresh in many local restaurants in the seaside villages and towns, but taking it home is a little more difficult. However, the Portuguese also can the fish they catch so it is better to buy cans as a souvenir. There are very beautiful ones which make a perfect present. In fact, it's almost a shame to open these cans...ever ;-).

5. ARTISANAL SOAPS

You can also find many different handmade soaps in all scents and colors, often biodegradable ones and made of local flowers or herbs. There is nothing more relaxing than being reminded of that wonderful holiday in the shower. Smells are known to trigger memories.

 

A typical Portuguese, strong coffee

6. STRONG COFFEE AND DELICIOUS PASTRIES

Coffee beans don't grow in Portugal but there is a very famous coffee roaster factory. It once started started as a very small shop in the Alentejo region and has since grown into a reference on the Iberian Peninsula. It is named Delta coffee. Did you know that a Portuguese laugh at the coffee we serve? They always drink a small coffee, espresso type, but there it is simply called “um café”. If you want a less strong coffee, as we are generally used to, ask for a café americano. The Portuguese cafe is even stronger than the espresso we know.

Drinking a coffee, with or without one of the many pastries (pastel – plural pasteis) is the favorite activity of the Portuguese. Each place also has its own typical pastry but these are more difficult to take home than a bag of coffee, so tasting as many as you can while on holiday is the way to go for the pastries ;-)!

 

7. Olives and Olive Oil

Olive trees are quite common in Portugal. Fresh olives and especially olive oil are for sale everywhere. You can find bottles in supermarkets but there are also many small farmers who produce artisanal olive oil. It is so much more interesting to book a tour with a small olive oil factory, followed by a tasting of course. Nothing beats some delicious bread with olive oil. And, needless to say: in Portugal, you will always find the perfect glass of wine to go with that.

Picking olives in Portugal
Pilgrim diploma

8. PILGRIM DIPLOMA

If you hike or bike the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela, you can paint your own pilgrim shell which you can leave along the road or you can take it with you as a souvenir. Also, you will receive a small credential booklet in which you can gather stamps of several locations you pass along the way. The stamps serve as proof that you have actually made the pilgrimage on foot or by bike. Along this well-known camino,  you will also find all kinds of souvenirs. However, the main goal is of course to take home your very own pilgrim diploma. This is my certificate, obtained after hiking the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela. 

 

If you are interested in traveling to Portugal or in hiking or biking the Portuguese Camino to Santiago the Compostela in Spain, feel free to contact us.

Together we can arrange your special holiday with lots of moments which will make fantastic memories. On our website you will find inspiration and a tool to let us know what your holiday should be like.

Share your smile, go yugenstyle!

Iris

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